Newpass House

Detached gable-fronted three-bay single-storey gate lodge associated with Newpass House (15400501), built c.1820, having projecting porch supported on four cast-iron columns creating veranda to front (south). Pitched natural slate roof with a single brick chimneystack to rear (north) having decorative brick cornice and string course. Rendered walls. Round-headed window openings with cut stone sills, curved cut limestone heads and remains of timber sliding sash windows having radial/spoked glazing bars to upper sections. Central round-headed doorcase with cut limestone block-and-start surround having spoke fanlight over. Set back from road to north of associated screen gates (15400503) at start of long entrance avenue to Newpass House to the west.

An appealing small-scale gate lodge, which retains much of its early form, fabric and character despite being derelict and out of use for a considerable period of time. The unusual veranda/porch to the entrance front may be a later-nineteenth century addition to an existing gate lodge. The good quality cut limestone block-and-start doorcase helps to distinguish this structure and is of artistic merit. This gate lodge is an attractive element in the landscape to the west of the village of Rathowen and forms part of an interesting group of structures associated with the Newpass House (15400501).